Adopted – Episode 35

ADOPTED – Episode 35

© Happy William

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Anne

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Squinting my eyes wasn’t enough to block the sun rays that filtered in through the opened window, bringing with it the fresh smell of dew and flowers.

So I finally opened my eyes and blinked for a bit before sitting up to run a hand through my messy hair, wondering why on earth it was so messy.

My sitting up caused the blanket that was wrapped loosely around my body to drop, revealing my naked breasts.

Oh me gosh!!!

In a flash, I pulled it up and tightened it to myself while collecting my thoughts which had the habit of running amok anytime I woke up.

Emilio and I made love.

That alone got me blushing so hard.

I turned to look in the direction of where he laid, it was a jumble of sheets and the pillow was slightly dented where his head must have been, and when I touched it, it was still warm.

He got out not so long ago.

I bit my lips as my heart rate accelerated double time. How was I going to face him? Oh, I’m as shy as a singer on trial mode on stage. What would he think? Did he see my scars when he awoke? Was I good, bad or amateurish?

Ugh, I can’t even believe I was thinking that. Of course I was amateurish. Who left the lights off during sex? And Emilio must have had experience in that field judging from the way he made me climax countless times.

Face-palming myself, I stumbled out of bed and laid it, still holding the blanket around me. I went to the door, opened it a crack and scanned the hallway.

All clear.

Gathering the folds, I made that risky run which I always embarked on when I was little and naked from the bathroom to my bedside. Safely in my room I locked the door and leaned on it for a second.

Then I carried my sore self to the bathroom for a hot shower, still relieving the feel of his hands tracing tiny lines across my skin.

Could I ever get enough?

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After shower, I dressed in a jade sundress and let my hair flow to cover the countless red spots I found around my neckline when I looked in the mirror.

Hickeys.

I’m so damned lucky.

As I descended the stairs to the kitchen, I kept thinking of where Emilio and I stood now. Girlfriend? Lover?……I shuddered…… a one nightie? That didn’t seem likely. But all I knew was, I love him so much to let him let me go just like that.

“They all look pretty, but I kind of prefer the smiling face to the frowns or thoughtful.”

I jerked out of my thoughts to see Emilio leaning casually against the railing of the lowest step, watching me. He wore a black shirt that was unbuttoned at the chest and whose sleeves were folded back to the elbows; over a pair of dark trousers. His hair was slightly wet and shinny and he smelled like pizza, coffee and me.

A blush found its way to my cheeks as I smiled and ducked my head.

“Good morning,” I said, my voice coming out all soft.

He chuckled lightly and before I could blink, climbed the few steps up to me and kissed me. It took me by surprise; but then again, didn’t all his kisses?

He pulled away slowly still holding the back of my neck in his hand with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“I was coming up to get you down for breakfast. How was your night?” he asked.

I slapped a hand on his chest. “Is that a question?”

“Yeah, seriously. How?”

I cleared my throat. “Twas lovely.”

“And you, how’re you?”

“Swell.”

He kissed my forehead, then led me to the dinning.

I sat beside him as he resumed working on his laptop.

I took a sip of the coffee — creamy and sweet, how’d he know? — and savoured a slice of pizza. I smiled. Pizza surely was our thing.

“We’ll be returning to Italy this morning,” he began as he pushed the laptop away and leaned back in his seat.

“The Vino Vicinta ball?” I asked, glad I could remember the name.

“Sì — yes. And also, I need to find out all the perps…. the people behind the diminishing funds, the fake will or the sabotage at the vineyards. It all points down to one person or persons, and the fact that they’re all out to ruin Salvatore VEW.”

“What’s that?”

“All our ventures. Vintage, estates, wineries.”

“OK. And Cosima? She’s the mastermind behind the fake will, right?”

“He shook his head. ” Portia.”

“What!!? Why?”

“I don’t know her motives. But I’m gonna find out. Eat up, you’re dipping the pizza into the beverage.”

I swiftly turned back to my food and saw that the pizza was halfway into the coffee.

“Yuck!” I said and took it out.

“What, you’re not going to eat it?”

“Not even in my dreams,” I said and placed it on a paper towel in a plate.

And turned to stare at my ruined coffee.

“I think I’m full,” I announced.

Emilio laughed and got up, scraping his chair on the ground.

“Then let’s get ready.”

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Again, we didn’t need to pack up stuff. Just two duffel bags with each of our basic stuff.

We walked to the car in the garage with Emilio buttoning up his shirt.

I wanted to tell him not to. It was a nice view for sore eyes. But I didn’t have that boldness.

We drove to the airport, talking about random things while a soft waltz played on the radio.

On getting there, another private jet was waiting for us with a different set of crew. I keep forgetting how rich he is.

Again, a man drove the car away while two pilots got in the cockpit.

Soon we were airborne.

Emilio smiled at me.

“Cuddle?” he asked wryly.

I knew he was repeating exactly what happened the last time on his jet.

I shook my head.

It was different this time around because something had changed ∆ between us.

“You’ll get jet lag,” he said again, this time grinning widely. Perhaps he noticed that I was too shy to say yes.

“Then I’ll sleep over here.”

“Phooey. What’s the point when you can sleep comfortably with me?” he raised his eyebrow.

“Ehmmmmmm…..stop it!”

“Stop what?”

“You’re faking innocence!”

“And you’re blushing already.”

I covered my face and groaned.

“Just come over here,” he said, his voice dropping to a whisper, “don’t fight it.”

I peeped through the holes in my finger.

He was still smiling, though his eyes had darkened considerably to the lowest shade.

“OK OK. I’m coming.” I went over and plopped down in the cushion beside him.

“But I tell you, all I’m gonna do is sleep.”

I did just that.

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#Italy

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It seemed no body was home when we arrived, because the house was quiter than normal.

I turned to Emilio, checking if he noticed it too .

He had our stuff taken up and proceeded to climb the stairs.

“Emilio where’s everyone?”

He shrugged.

“Out scheming I guess. I’m about to find them out. Don’t worry.”

OK, so he was back to being Emilio Salvatore.

Serious minded businessman and don of the Italian Mafia.

With a sigh, I took the steps one at a time to my room.

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Portia

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I took a sip of my tea and studied the maid intently.

“Are you sure of what you’re telling me?”

“Sì signora. She was talking to Cosima.”

“But Cosima is dead,” I countered quietly.

“I swear!”

I stared at her.

“OK.”

“So, signora. The pay…..”

“Oh, yeah, the pay.”

I took out my gun and shot her on the chest.

She groaned and slumped to the floor

She liked money too much.

I wouldn’t be surprised if she sold out information to Emilio for money.

Now, to confirm the news…..

To be continued

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